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Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    16 Apr 2026

    Coastal Slope Stability Assessment

    Geoff Davis has recently been in his element, carrying a slope stability assessment for a holiday park that has recently seen some quite dramatic ground movements.One thing that this project has highlighted is that for all the new technologies that are available to help us understand the ground, including LiDAR, drone surveys, remote sensing and inclinometers, all of which we intend to use on this site, they are of little use if the ground model is not understood. And this understanding of geology and geomorphology only come from a combination of education and experience.It is hoped that our understanding of the landslide processes at this complex site will allow us to predict possible future behaviour and assist in developing a long-term strategy for the future of the holiday park and its management.

    Coastal Slope Stability Assessment
    Coastal Slope Stability Assessment

  • Recent projects

    Boreholes for Retaining Wall, North Devon

    To aid the design of a large retaining wallat a former glove factory in North Devon, Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a geotechnical investigation to provide information on the ground conditions. Combined percussive and rotary drilling was undertaken, to obtain sufficient samples of the near surface soils and deeper rock materials, which could not be readily sampled using percussive or rotary methods in isolation. Cost (and time) savings were made by only mobilising one drilling rig, rather than have undertaken separate phases of investigation for the sampling of soils and rock materials. Photograph of the completed project, courtesy of the architect – Woodward Smith.

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  • Recent projects

    Foundation Works Risk Assessment Allows Development to Proceed

    Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a Foundation Works Risk Assessment for a proposed commercial development within the centre of Cirencester. The development was to include the installation of piled foundations to support the proposed buildings. The Environment Agency were concerned that the installation of the piled foundations could mobilise contaminants within an overlying thickness of made ground into the underlying Secondary A Aquifer (Forest Marble Formation) and potentially cause contamination to the water environment. Ruddlesden produced a Foundation Works Risk Assessment in accordance with the Environment Agency’s published guidance document. This included the production of a detailed conceptual site model (CSM) and identifying the potential scenarios and pollutant linkages that could occur as a result of the piling works. The risk assessment suggested that the piling contractor’s chosen piling method could foreseeably cause contamination of the underlying aquifer, as a result of displacing/ pushing contaminated soils down into it. Following the risk assessment, an alternative (non-displacement/ replacement) method of piling was proposed which would mitigate the risks of contaminating the underlying aquifer. This risk assessment was approved by the Environment Agency and local authorityand allowed the works to continue as proposed.

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